Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Wednesday, 14 September 2022.
Whelan on signings
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has praised the impact of four of the club’s main summer signings. The Whites brought in a total of eight new players during the window, with five of them expected to make instant impacts.
While Rasmus Kristensen has taken a little longer to settle, the other four have all fitted in seamlessly. Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan revealed he has been impressed by each of them but singled out Brenden Aaronson as the best so far.
He said: “I think you’ve got to look at that midfield area. Roca has done a very understated job in there, he’s very much like Kalvin Phillips.
READ MORE: Leeds United hardest hit by Premier League postponements and 29-day lay-off
“Along with Tyler Adams, the two of them seem very comfortable on the ball and they are very aggressive in that midfield area. That has allowed the one player who has been a stand-out to really shine – and that is Brenden Aaronson.
“He’s very positive with huge energy, drives forward with great technical ability – and he’s got an eye for a pass too. Sinisterra hasn’t let anyone down by coming in to replace Raphinha, either, after watching his recent performances.”
U21s
Leeds United Under-21s will face Southampton Under-21s on Friday night and manager Michael Skubala is set to name a strong side due to the international break and first-team match postponements.
Skubala’s side are currently top of Premier League 2 Division 2 after winning three of their first four matches, drawing the other one. The Saints come to Elland Road with the exact same record, but sit behind the Whites having scored less goals.
The club say Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo are all set to feature. Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins will also be involved.
Read more here.
Shackleton
Jamie Shackleton believes Leeds United's professional response to Marcelo Bielsa's dismissal was a key factor behind their Premier League survival last season. Bielsa was sacked in February after a run of four straight defeats which saw Leeds leak 17 goals in the process.
Bielsa left Elland Road with Leeds swimming in a precarious 16th place, as the board drew the curtain on his memorable three-and-a-half year stay in South Yorkshire. It was the Argentine that presented Shackleton with his debut at the age of 18 in 2018 and the 22-year-old made 78 appearances during his reign at Elland Road.
Shackleton has credited Bielsa for instilling an identity into the team and has lauded his former boss for "improving" him as a player.
"I enjoyed my time under Bielsa," Shackleton says. "We worked really hard for the three-and-a-half years he was at the club. It was great to see that everything we worked so hard for being played out on the pitch.”
Read more here.
READ NEXT:
· Go here for all the latest Leeds United news
· Rasmus Kristensen fitness hint as Leeds United right-back receives call-up
· Leeds United facing fixture pile-up as battle to squeeze in Manchester United trip begins
· Best and worst-case scenarios as Leeds United braced for Premier League slide during break
· Leeds United advantage could be difference for Jesse Marsch as home form builds
